2. Contact Info

3. Dealer Selection

Toyota Camry. Honda Accord. Nissan Altima. This Japanese trio has dominated North America’s midsize sedan game for awhile now. But recently, the competitive set has grown not only in size to include the Fusion, Sonata, Malibu, Legacy, Jetta, etc., but in overall amenities. Long gone are the days when automakers could entice customers with power windows, automatic door locks, and that oh-so-convenient cruise control.

As we noted in our “Seven for All Mankind” midsize sedan comparison, Nissan‘s best-selling model lags behind the competition when it comes to standard features. Rather than elongate the Altima’s standard feature list, the product planners in Yokohama continue to offer a wide array of all-inclusive packages (Alloy Wheel, Technology, Premium, Premium Audio, 2.5 SL, Convenience, Convenience Plus, Sport) that bundle popular creature comforts depending on trim (2.5, 2.5 S, 3.5 SR, 2.5 S with SL Package). For 2011, the package list includes a Special Edition group, but only for the midrange 2.5 S model.

While the contents of the $750 Special Edition aren’t new, their arrangement and pricing is. Along with a unique badge affixed to its rear trunklid, Nissan includes 16-inch alloy wheels, foglights, auto/on headlights, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, and a rear spoiler to the S trim’s features list. If optioned separately, Nissan says, the group would cost $1250, so buyers are getting more bang for their proverbial buck.

Within Nissan’s realm, you do get more features for your money. But in looking at some competitors’ “build your own” sites, the legitimacy of the bang-for-your-buck argument fades a bit. Many of the Special Edition’s contents are included in the competition’s base fares. Hyundai and Ford, with their respective Sonata SE and Fusion SEL sedans, offer floormats, leather-wrapped steering wheels with stereo controls, auto on/off headlamps, and power seats to buyers at no extra charge. Hyundai and Ford also throw in Bluetooth and Sync connectivity, and their base prices still undercut our Nissan’s as-tested price of $23,735 (with $175 floor and truck mats) by a few hundred dollars.

The current generation Altima was refreshed in 2010 and the exterior song remains the same for the 2011 model, meaning a one-piece front bumper, restyled headlights, bulging aluminum hood, and bolder T-shaped grille accentuate the car’s “dynamic simplicity” physique. Revised fabrics and material finishes find their way inside and make for a comfortable, albeit plainly styled, environment. Three new exterior colors — Metallic Slate, Saharan Stone, and Brilliant Silver – join the paintjob palette.

Not surprisingly, the 2011 edition behaved near identically to last year’s model. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder’s 175 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque sufficiently motivated the four-door in stop/go-laden cityscapes, yet the mill needed ample right foot urging to get the 3200-pound sedan going at highway speeds. The Xtronic CVT continued to annoy with its trademark all-rpm drone and uncharismatic personality. Then again, the efficient transmission plays a large part in helping the Altima achieve its 23 mpg city, 32 mpg highway fuel economy. When shifted in manual mode, it became mildly more entertaining.

Inside, the Altima’s quietness and all-around visibility impressed. The same can’t be said of rear passenger leg room (at 35.8 inches). We packed the Altima’s generous 15.3 cu-ft trunk full with holiday gifts, yet were disappointed with the trunklid’s gooseneck hinges, which don’t accomodate cargo taller than a foot.

The Altima’s responsive chassis and suspension tuning shined during our weeklong test. Nearly all road imperfections were met with only a miniscule jounce, resulting in a very comfortable ride. The electronically enhanced speed-sensitive steering is weighty and inspired confidence when pushing the sedan in corners.

All in all, the Altima remains a solid mid-size sedan with plenty to offer the average consumer. Its popularity speaks for itself: More than 206,000 Altimas have been sold through November 2010, up some 21,000 units compared to a year ago. The Special Edition trim is bound to attract some new buyers and satisfy loyalists looking for more, but we’re not convinced that adding a badge is the right way to keep up with the Joneses.

2011 Nissan Altima 2.5 S Special Edition

Base price

$22,810

Vehicle layout

Front-engine, FWD, 5-pass, 4-door, sedan

Engine

2.5L/175-hp/180-lb-ft DOHC 16-valve I-4

Transmission

cont. variable auto

Curb weight

3200 lb (mfr)

Wheelbase

109.3 in

Length x width x height

190.7 x 70.7 x 58.0 in

0-60 mph

8.4 sec (MT est,)

EPA city/hwy fuel econ

23 / 32 mpg

CO2 emissions

0.74 lb/mile (est)

On sale in U.S.

Now

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